Compact children&#39;s table and stool set

ABSTRACT

A table and seating arrangement includes a tabletop having an underside and an edge. A pedestal supports the tabletop. The pedestal includes an X-shaped base with a plurality of upwardly extending slotted pedestal sheets. Each sheet has a slot accommodating a respective slot in another sheet by sliding the slots together. One or more seat assemblies, such as stools, are horizontally movable between a use position on the ground and at least a portion of each seat is movable beyond the edge of the tabletop. In a storage position, the entire seat assembly is positioned with a predetermined area below the underside of the tabletop. Each seat assembly includes a seat support frame having two flat vertical walls joined by one arcuate wall, enclosing a hollow storage chamber therebetween; wherein the vertical walls are constructed to rest adjacent to the table pedestal in a storage position of non-use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a compact table and seating arrangementwherein the entire seat assembly is stored below the underside of thetabletop.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rich variation in furniture design abounds. Sets of tables with matchingchairs for adults or scaled down in size for children's use are also incommon use. Sometimes for the sake of compactness and/or resistance totoppling over, the seats for children's sets are attached to the tablein various manners such as rigidly attached benches or on swing-outhinges. One typical example is a scaled down picnic table with integralbenches. Round tables with chairs that nest under the tabletop are alsoavailable. Conventional chairs with seat backs and four legs are commonas are backless stools. Stools with three legs and triangular seat havealso been used.

The prior art does not reveal a children's table and stool set withsynergy of design to provide compactness, low cost, aesthetic appeal,comfort, ease of shipping and assembly, and also has the ability topromote good behavior in cooperative tabletop activities.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide a children's table and stoolset to accommodate up to four children for tabletop activities which iscompact as assembled and compact to fit into a standard shipping box ofmodest dimensions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a table and stool set ofaesthetic appeal at relatively low cost and with very robustconstruction.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide the comfort of acushioned seat on the stool.

Also an object of this invention is to provide stools which areunattached to the table to provide convenience of ingress and egress.

An object of this invention is to provide stools which are toppleresistant and give stable support to a seated child.

Another object of this invention is to provide a storage chamber withspace for toys and other materials within the space of each stool.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide cushion covers thatcan be removed for washing or changing color schemes and then replaced.

Also an object of this invention is to provide a check on intentional orinadvertent kicking of one child by another while seated at the table byvirtue of a natural barrier to such activity inherent to the tabledesign.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, thistable and stool set for children is equally useful for the individualhousehold as for institutional use in a typical nursery school. Whilethe children's table and stool seating set of this invention can bescaled up or down in relative size to accommodate different targetmarkets, the features will be described as a set targeted for pre-schooltoddlers up to age five years, although the construction can be used forolder children. For this market, the tabletop is preferably circular and30″ in diameter, and it is 20″ high. The stools are sector (i.e.“pie-slice”) shaped and stand 12″ high. Yet this table and stool set isshipped in a standard international shipping container (or box)measuring 82 cm×82 cm×47 cm high (32.28″×32.28″×18.5″) with four fullyassembled stools and the table in knockdown form. All rigid parts arepreferably wood products including hardwood, plywood, veneer, and woodparticle board, although other synthetic plastic materials or metals maybe used. They are preferably finished in natural wood tone with grainfeatures visible. The stools have cushions, which may be stationary, butpreferably are removable cushions, with preferably bright fabric coversthat can be removed for washing. Contrasting colors such as one each ofyellow, green, blue and red can be used for the four stools as an aid inlearning “colors”.

The table top is preferably attached to a pedestal made from ahorizontal base, preferably X-shaped, supporting two orthogonal notchedsheets forming sector shaped areas under the tabletop, such as one ormore areas, preferably four sector shaped areas. The four such regionsreceive the four stools which nest under the tabletop for compactstorage. The preferably curved back side of each stool preferably has alarge open bin, such as a storage chamber area, where toys, books orother materials can be stored within the stool in the lower storagechamber bin area. When pulled out from under the tabletop, each stoolprovides easy entry and exit for a child. When pulled closer to thetable, each child's legs are within his or her private sector space asdelineated by the pedestal; this prevents one from accidentally orintentionally kicking an adjacent child thereby making for bettercooperative use of a common tabletop. Each stool has an ergonomic designwith the wide curved backside behind the center of gravity of the childsitting on it, and the sides preferably meeting at a ninety degree pointin front, although the angle may vary depending upon the number ofstools. The stool is thereby topple resistant and comfortable to use.The elimination of a backrest also enhances accident resistance whilereducing space and weight, and also insuring a low center of gravity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can best be understood in connection with theaccompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited tothe precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the table and stool set of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the tabletop with dashed lines showing theposition of the four stools and the attachment of the supportingpedestal;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a child sitting at the table on one of thestools;

FIG. 4 is a wordless assembly instruction sheet showing all of the partsand illustrating the three major steps involved in the assembly of thetable which is shipped in a knockdown form;

FIG. 5 is a close up perspective view of the stud portion of thefastener pair used to attach the pedestal to the tabletop;

FIG. 6 is a close up perspective view of the quarter-turn cam portion ofthe same fastener pair;

FIG. 7 is a crossection detail of the tabletop and pedestal sheetshowing method of attachment using the quarter-turn fastener pair;

FIG. 8 is a back elevation of a stool showing the various parts;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a stool showing the fasteners used in itsfactory assembly; and,

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the position of the various items andparts stacked within a shipping container or box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows the table and stool set 1 of this invention with table 2,and stools 3. Although in the preferred embodiment the tabletop 4 isround as shown, a square tabletop can be used as well.

As viewed from the top (see FIG. 2), it can be appreciated that stools 3have a circular sector shape and nest into table 2 adjacent to thesector regions described by preferably an X-shaped base 18 supportingpedestal 6 formed of intersecting sheets. Note that stools 3 have afabric covered cushion 13 on top and a large opening between top curvedband 9 and bottom curved band 11. This opening permits access to storagechamber bin region 17 where toys, books and/or other school supplies canbe placed as shown. A hand opening 15 is conveniently provided for achild on the floor to move stool 3. The two flat sides 7 of each stool 3are structural load bearing members.

FIG. 3 shows the relation between a child 20 and the table and stool set1. In this view, a cutout contour 8 on the periphery of each pedestal isvisible. It is in the form of an upwardly extending parabola; besidesbeing aesthetically pleasing, the removed section reduces weight of thepedestal while it is fully serving its structural function. Note thatwhile appearing non-constraining by virtue of contoured periphery 8,pedestal 6 still confines the child's feet to the sector region underthe table partially occupied by his stool 3. Note also that the centerof gravity of child 20 when seated on stool 3 is well within the contourof the sector shape toward the widest region for stability.

FIG. 4 is the assembly sheet for table 2 of the set. Every part,including fasteners and tool are represented as A-I in the packing list.Note in step 1 that each of the pedestal sheets B and C is a slottedtrapezoid with a parabolic cutout on the two vertical edges. Notchedwood blocks D and E are attached to the bottom of the pedestal sheetsusing screws from the bottom completing the assembly of pedestal 6. Akey area of structural integrity is the attachment of tabletop 4 topedestal 6 since this must be able to overcome substantial cantileverloading from children leaning on the edge, or even sitting on the tableedge. Eight quarter-turn cam furniture assembly fasteners are used inthis critical area. These are two-part fasteners designated as G and Hon the assembly sheet.

FIGS. 5-7 show details of their use to fasten and insure tightness ofthe joint between pedestal 6 and tabletop 4.

In FIG. 5 the stud portion 21 is shown with machine thread 23 at one endstud body 22 and screw head 24 at the other end.

FIG. 6 shows the quarter-turn cam 27 which has features on its roundperiphery (shallow slanted teeth—not shown) that prevent backwardsrotation once they are tightened. Groove 28 engages under head 24 of thestud portion.

FIG. 7 shows the assembly method of the quarter-turn fasteners. Factorymounted metal or plastic inserts 31 with a threaded center hole areprecisely installed in tabletop 4. The customer will thread studs 21into these inserts as shown. The studs 21 will then be in a pattern inregistration with blind holes 33 factory bored in the top end of thepedestal sheets 30. These are of a diameter to receive the stud body 22.After the studs are inserted into holes 33, cams 27 are pushed intoorthogonal blind holes 34 (also precisely factory bored) in such anorientation as to capture stud head 24. When cams 27 are turnedclockwise using a Phillips screwdriver, they will draw pedestal 6 towardtabletop 4 and lock the joint in place.

FIG. 8 is a back view of stool 3 showing the insides of flat side panels7, and curved bands 9 and 11.

The side view of FIG. 9 shows the method of factory assembly usingscrews 35 to attach the front end of one side 7 to the other. Screws 39attach each of sides 7 to the recessed panel underneath the seatcushion. Screws 37 attach each side 7 to the bottom panel which alsoserves as the inside bottom of the toy storage area.

FIG. 10 shows the layered stacking of the various items and parts insidea shipping container (or box). Packing material is not shown. The box issquare with width W equal to depth D, and with height H. The four fullyassembled stools 3 are shown at the bottom arrayed as a circle. Nexttable top 4 is stacked, next pedestal sheets 30 (shown as B & C onassembly sheet) and base blocks D & E on the side. Solid Styrofoam®sheets and blocks are used between each of stool 3 flat sides 7 sidesand between and around the other parts as is normal practice. Otherscratch preventing soft packing material may also be used. Byjudiciously shipping fully assembled stools, only five parts need to beassembled together by a customer to form table 2. Having a singleassembly sheet with clear wordless illustrations is much less dauntingto a typical customer than a long multi-page manual with manyparagraphs. The assembly is quite intuitive; parts will just not fit thewrong way.

In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions areused to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessarylimitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrationsdepicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms andillustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scopeof the present invention. For example, at least one stool may beprovided, fitting within at least one sector region formed by thepedestal sheets.

It is further known that other modifications may be made to the presentinvention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in theappended Claims.

1. A table and seating arrangement, comprising: a tabletop having anunderside and an edge; a pedestal supporting said tabletop; saidpedestal comprising a base supporting a plurality of upright sheet wallsproviding at least one predetermined sector region below said tabletop;an assembly of at least one seat is horizontally movable between a useposition wherein said at least one seat engages the ground and at leasta portion of said at least one seat is movable beyond the edge of thetabletop, and movable into a storage position wherein each respective atleast one seat of the entire seat assembly is positioned within said atleast one respective predetermined sector region located below theunderside of said tabletop, wherein said seat is nestled adjacent to andagainst a portion of said pedestal base.
 2. A table and seatingarrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seat includesa seat support frame having two flat vertical walls joined by onearcuate wall; said vertical walls are constructed to rest adjacent tosaid pedestal base of said table within said at least one respectivesector region in a storage position of non-use.
 3. A table and seatingarrangement according to claim 1, wherein the seat is pie-slice shaped.4. A table and seating arrangement according to claim 1, comprising aplurality of seats.
 5. A table and seating arrangement according toclaim 1, wherein the at least one seat comprises a stool.
 6. A table andseating arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said at least onestool includes a hollow storage chamber bin area.
 7. A table and seatingarrangement according to claim 5, wherein the at least one stool isproximate the underside of the tabletop in the storage position.
 8. Atable and seating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tablecomprises a round table.
 9. A table and seating arrangement according toclaim 1, wherein the table comprises a square table.
 10. A table andseating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seatcomprises a seating surface, wherein the seating surface is horizontaland faces upward in the use position and faces upward in the storageposition.
 11. A table and seating arrangement according to claim 4,wherein each seat of said seating assembly comprises seating for arespective user of a plurality of users.
 12. A table and seatingarrangement according to claim 2, wherein said sheet construction ofsaid pedestal forms respective individual sector shaped under-tableregions for leg movements.
 13. In a table having a pedestal, wherein theimprovement comprises: said pedestal is formed of an X-shaped base witha plurality of upwardly extending parabolic edged trapezoid pedestalsheets; each said upwardly extending parabolic edged trapezoid pedestalsheet having a slot accommodating a respective slot in another upwardlyextending parabolic edged trapezoid pedestal sheet whereby thefunctional shape of the pedestal is formed by sliding; said X-shapedbase is formed by sliding one long wood block into another wood block attheir respective mounting slots.
 14. A table according to claim 13,wherein each long wood block has round ends.
 15. A table according toclaim 13, wherein factory mounted threaded inserts on the underside oftabletop are in registration with top edge factory bored blind holes inpedestal sheets, to facilitate use of quarter-turn cam furnitureassembly fasteners, in which each said cam is inserted in orthogonalintersecting blind holes which are also factory bored into side of saidpedestal sheets.
 16. A combination seat and toy storage facility for usein a child learning environment, the combination comprising: ahorizontal floor member; two flat sidewalls and one arcuate wallintegral with the floor member and extending upwardly therefrom forenclosing a hollow storage chamber; said sidewalls are angularlydisposed and are connected by an arcuate wall;
 17. The seat of claim 16further including at least one aperture leading to said hollow storagechamber within each seat.
 18. The seat of claim 16 wherein said storagechamber holds at least one of toys, school supplies and books.
 19. Theseat of claim 16 further including at least one handle connected to saidsides for lifting the seat.
 20. The seat of claim 16 wherein the seatprovides an upfacing removable and replaceable cushion surface.
 21. Theseat of claim 16 wherein an ergonomic design with the curved backsidebehind the center of gravity of the sitting child; said seat is toppleresistant and comfortable to use.
 22. The seat of claim 16 wherein thewidth and length dimensions of the seat are each approximately equal tothe height dimension of the seat.
 23. The seat of claim 20 wherein theshape of the cushion is pie-slice shaped.
 24. The seat of claims 15 to23 wherein the seat is a stool.
 25. A table and seating arrangement andpackaging system combination, comprising: a table and seatingarrangement and a box shaped receiving package; a box shaped receivingpackage having at least one portion thereof adapted to be opened toreceive the table and seat set therein and then closed; said box shapedreceiving package, comprising: outer cushion walls, inner cushion walls,an X-shaped cushion wall and four corner truncated rectangular cushions;said outer cushion walls are attached to each inner side of thereceiving package; said inner cushion walls are next to the inner sideof the outer cushion walls and are perpendicular to the verticalsidewalls of the seat; said X-shaped cushion wall separates four seatsinto individual cubicles, and the height of said X-shaped cushion is thesame as the height of inner cushion walls, but shorter than the outercushion walls; said corner truncated rectangular cushions are placed ontop of the inner cushion walls and against the four corners of thereceiving package to enable the top of the truncated rectangularcushions is on the same horizontal line as the top of the outer cushionwalls; said table including two long wood blocks and two trapezoidshaped sheet wall boards with parabolic curved edges, which said blockssheet wall and boards are placed on top of the seats, wrapped in loosecushion, and the tabletop is above all but right below the outer cushionwall against the top of the box; wherein said four fully assembled seatsbeing are radially arrayed as a circle; whereby by shipping said fullyassembled stools, only five table parts need to be assembled together bya user to form said table; and, said package further including a singleassembly sheet with clear wordless assembly illustrations.